Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18 § 59.18.620
Definitions applicable to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630.
Operative Text
The definitions in this section apply to RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630 unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 59.18.030 , and includes a manufactured/mobile home or a mobile home lot as defined in RCW 59.20.030 . (2) "Eviction moratorium" refers to the governor of the state of Washington's proclamation 20-19.6, proclaiming a moratorium on certain evictions for all counties throughout Washington state on March 18, 2021. (3) "Landlord" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 59.18.030 and 59.20.030 . (4) "Prospective landlord" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 59.18.030 . (5) "Public health emergency" refers to the governor of the state of Washington's proclamation 20-05, proclaiming a state of emergency for all counties throughout Washington state on February 29, 2020, and any subsequent orders extending or amending such proclamation due to COVID-19 until the proclamation expires or is terminated by the governor of the state of Washington. (6) "Rent" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 59.18.030 . (7) "Tenant" refers to any individual renting a dwelling unit or lot primarily for living purposes, including any individual with a tenancy subject to this chapter or chapter 59.20 RCW or any individual residing in transient lodging, such as a hotel or motel or camping area as their primary dwelling, for 30 days or more prior to March 1, 2020. "Tenant" does not include any individual residing in a hotel or motel or camping area as their primary dwelling for more than 30 days after March 1, 2020, if the hotel or motel or camping area has provided the individual with a seven-day eviction notice, which must include the following language: "For no-cost legal assistance, please call 2-1-1 or the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline outside King County (888) 201-1014 weekdays between 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., or (888) 387-7111 for seniors (age 60 and over). You may find additional resource information at http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org." "Tenant" also does not include occupants of homeless mitigation sites or a person entering onto land without permission of the landowner or lessor. For purposes of this subsection, any local government provision of solid waste or hygiene services to unsanctioned encampments does not constitute permission to occupy land.
Washington Revised Code § 59.18.620 establishes the key terms used in the adjacent provisions at RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630, which address tenant protections connected to the COVID-19 public health emergency and eviction moratorium. The section defines who qualifies as a "tenant" — including people living in hotels, motels, or camping areas as their primary home for 30 or more days before March 1, 2020 — and who is excluded, such as occupants of homeless mitigation sites or those who received a qualifying seven-day eviction notice after that date. It also anchors the meanings of "dwelling unit," "landlord," "rent," and related terms to definitions already established elsewhere in Washington's residential landlord-tenant law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 59.18.620, the definitions that govern RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630 draw on the same foundational terms used throughout Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, including the definitions of "landlord" and "rent" found in RCW 59.18.030. Operators of hotels, motels, or camping areas should be aware that this section sets specific conditions — including a seven-day eviction notice containing prescribed legal-resource language — that determine whether a long-term occupant qualifies as a "tenant" under these COVID-related provisions. Compliant operators generally ensure that any notices issued to such occupants include all language required by § 59.18.620 before assuming a person falls outside the definition of "tenant."
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 59.18.620 defines who is protected as a "tenant" under the COVID-19-related provisions at RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630, and the definition is broader than many people expect — it can include individuals who were living in a hotel, motel, or camping area as their primary home for 30 or more days before March 1, 2020. If you believe you qualify as a tenant under this definition, the protections in RCW 59.18.625 and 59.18.630 may be relevant to your situation, and raising the applicability of these definitions could be a factor in any eviction-related proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and Washington's 2-1-1 helpline or the Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline (referenced in the statute itself) are among the resources available to help people understand whether they fall within this definition.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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